Richmond, VA – In celebration of Earth Day, the City of Richmond unveiled a sweeping environmental initiative aimed at cooling down some of its hottest neighborhoods. The program, called Cool the City, is a five-year effort that will see over 1,000 trees planted across the city and major investments made in green workforce development.
Backed by a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, the initiative is part of Richmond’s broader strategy to address climate resilience and environmental justice. City leaders say the project specifically targets so-called “urban heat islands” — areas that experience significantly higher temperatures due to a lack of tree cover and an abundance of heat-absorbing surfaces like pavement and concrete.
“Trees are one of the most valuable resources that we can have in the city,” said Laura Thomas, Richmond’s Director of Sustainability. “They cool our neighborhoods, manage stormwater, and expand access to much-needed green space.”
Urban heat islands have been identified throughout Richmond’s Southside, East End, and Northside neighborhoods — areas where residents often face disproportionate exposure to extreme heat. According to city data, some neighborhoods can be up to 10 to 15 degrees hotter than others on the same day.
“This is about more than just planting trees,” said Richmond Mayor Danny Avula. “We’re planting health, equity, and opportunity. Cool the City is an investment in both people and place, and it aligns with our long-term RVAgreen 2050 Plan to create a cooler, greener, and more resilient Richmond.”
The initiative is a collaboration between the City of Richmond and a number of community-based organizations, including Virginia Interfaith Power and Light. Executive Director Faith Harris emphasized the unique role that faith communities can play in environmental action.
“Every church, every mosque, every temple is housed in a community where they can make a difference,” Harris said. “We have a real opportunity to change the trajectory of the heat island effect by working together.”
Beyond tree planting, the grant will fund environmental job training programs to prepare residents for careers in the growing green economy. City officials say these efforts aim to build capacity within communities and ensure long-term sustainability of the urban canopy.
To learn more about Cool the City or to get involved, residents are encouraged to visit the city’s RVAgreen website.
